Fourteen people, including a newlywed bride and groom, were killed in a head-on collision between a microbus and a navy bus on the Khulna–Mongla highway in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat on Thursday afternoon.
The accident occurred near Belai Bridge. All the victims were passengers in the microbus.
Among the dead was newlywed Marzia Akhter (Mitu). With red henna still on her hands and wearing a brown Banarasi sari, she had left her father's home for her husband's house after the wedding. She never reached her destination.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Doctors there declared Marzia Akhter dead. Her body, still covered with a golden wedding veil, was later taken to the hospital morgue. A video from the hospital circulated on social media, drawing widespread grief.
Marzia Akhter was the daughter of Abdus Salam Morol from Naksa village in Amadi union of Koyra upazila in Khulna. She married Ahadur Rahman Sabbir, son of Abdur Razzak from Shyalabunia village in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat, on Wednesday night.
After the wedding ceremony, members of the groom’s party stayed overnight at the bride’s house. On Thursday, they left for Mongla in a microbus.
The crash happened when the vehicle reached the Belai Bridge area and collided head-on with a navy bus.
According to police, 15 people, including the driver, were in the microbus. Fourteen of them died either at the scene or on the way to hospital. One person survived and is receiving treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Initially, four bodies were taken to Rampal Upazila Health Complex. The remaining victims were later brought to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where grieving relatives gathered outside the morgue.
Katakhali Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zafar Ahmed said the passengers included 11 members of the groom’s side and three from the bride’s family.
Ten bodies, including those of the newlyweds, are currently kept in the morgue of Khulna Medical College Hospital.
